After leading AC Milan to the Scudetto in 2011, Allegri couldn't stop the Rossoneri's fall. Now, he takes over in Turin, writes Sheridan Bird

Replacement: The ex-Cagliari boss was forced to trim the fat during three years in Milan

For the majority of his time at Milan, Massimiliano Allegri, known as ‘Max’, resembled a bloke whose dog had just died. After a dream start his reign crumbled amid cost-cutting sales. Now he has taken over from Antonio Conte as Juventus boss. Not all fans are impressed.

In his first season at the San Siro, in 2010/11, the former journeyman midfielder won the Scudetto by six points, losing only four games. Then the Rossoneri cashed in or released their high earners. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Pato, Gianluca Zambrotta and even chirpy, rapidly slowing captain Massimo Ambrosini departed.

After the exodus of talent and influential characters, Max couldn’t stop the slide, eventually losing his job after a humbling 4-3 loss at struggling Sassuolo in January 2014.

What does the Tuscan bring to Juventus, champions for the last three years? His approach might enforce a switch from Conte’s trademark three-man defence to a back four. That might help Giorgio Chiellini (30 in August) and Andrea Barzagli (33), whose legs look heavier every season.

Allegri dedicated his coaching thesis during his time in charge of Spal in 2004/05 to midfield. This is moot because potential departures in that area - Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal have been linked with exits - could cause upheaval in the centre.

Allegri prefers a 4-3-1-2, and wrote about his three-man midfield in his study. “The man in the centre, the ‘regista’, must have charisma, good positioning and move the ball forward quickly to launch counter-attacks.” Andrea Pirlo looks a natural for this role. But he’s the bearded elephant in the room.

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Shone: Pirlo has won three successive Scudetti since leaving Allegri's Milan in 2011

Allegri’s relationship with Pirlo is key. The slim coach happily let the elegant playmaker leave Milan. Does Pirlo welcome Max’s appointment? In Allegri’s defence, Rossoneri owner Silvio Berlusconi was delighted to get the star off the pay roll. Before the schemer’s transfer, the fun-loving president was filmed telling fans how much Pirlo earned, giving the figure in old currency (lira) to make it sound even larger.

Allegri’s preferred player on the right of the regista is full of running, good in the air and digs in with defensively. That would suit Claudio Marchisio. Although the man who scored against England at the World Cup is more comfortable on the left, he is a team player.

The left sided midfielder has Pogba written all over. “The person in this position has better technique than the other two and can beat an opponent, dribble, play the forwards in with clever passes and score himself,” said the document.

Milan’s scudetto winning team of 2010/11 were a bit ‘vertical’, which is a polite way to say they clumped it long to Ibra for him to sort it out. But that was due to the Swede’s qualities. When Gazzetta dello Sport asked him if he was obsessed with ‘musclemen’ players to the detriment of quality, Allegri said “that’s not true. And I always play with four attackers.”

Off the pitch Allegri’s low key demeanour is different to the high-intensity, manic Conte. He values composure from the head coach. “Never get too carried away in great moments, but neither get too down in negative times.” Juve directors surely welcome a less ‘vivacious’ figurehead in the dugout and press conferences.

The former Cagliari coach is relaxed in the dressing room. For some he was too passive at Milan, while others respected statements like: “the team selects the leader. No one turns up in the morning and says ‘hello, I’m your leader’... it’s a natural choice.”

Lack of magnetism and a stubborn streak, which caused fall-outs with Stephan El Shaarawy and reserve goalkeeper Marco Amelia, could hinder him. But the ex-Milan chief is used to his team being dismantled almost daily and won’t rock the boat.

The quiet man might be perfect for the Old Lady, especially if they start selling high and looking for bargain replacements.